The real meaning of 'omnishambles'

Since the word ‘omnishambles' was invented, we have knownthat we have an incompetent government. But the reshuffle demonstrated that this this comes from the top, fromDavid Cameron himself. For the primeminister is solely responsible for the re-structuring of his government.

Contemplate the photograph of the new Cabinet meeting for
the first time. That is itself tells
the story. For little business can be
done effectively in such a large group. Moreover some of those attending, such as the Lib Dem, David Laws, and
the former Tory party chair, Lady Warsi, neither of whom are members of the
Cabinet, have been given a place at the table as a sort of consolation prize.

Then consider a specific appointment. It turns out that the newly appointed Transport Secretary,
Patrick McLoughlin, has immediate conflicts of interest. Because he has
been linked with a campaign to support Bombardier, the Derby based train
manufacturer, and because High Speed 2 is routed to go through his
constituency, he may have to withdraw from consideration of railway questions
and let a more junior minister take the relevant decisions. It seems nobody did any sort of due
diligence on the new appointment before it was announced. That’s incompetence.